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A woman charged with pursuing Kate McCann reportedly recorded her a phone message which questioned: "imagine I am Madeleine?"

Julia Wandelt, 24, who a jury heard has persistently claimed she was the missing Madeleine McCann, and Karen Spragg are on trial accused with pursuing Kate and Gerry McCann from June 2022 and February 2025.

On Monday, Leicester Crown Court was told call records and information retrieved from phones documented Ms Wandelt repeatedly asking Madeleine's mother for a biological test during 2023 and 2024.

Madeleine's vanishing in 2007 - when she was three years old during a family holiday in Portugal - is among the most publicized investigations and continues to be open.

'I Am Not Seeking Money'

One phone message, played in court, captured Ms Wandelt stating: "I understand I'm overweight and not pretty like Madeleine was, but I know what I feel."

While a separate message of Ms Wandelt's recordings with Mrs McCann's recording expressed: "What if there is a slight possibility that I am Madeleine? Then what? Wouldn't that be crucial for you?"

"I don't want money, I have a existence here in Poland, I simply desire to understand," the message continued.

The tribunal was told that by means of electronic messages, text messages and calls, Ms Wandelt asked for a DNA test, sent early photographs to her phone in a effort to show a likeness to Mrs McCann's vanished daughter, and stated to have "recollections" from a early life with the McCanns.

The investigator, a data specialist with Leicestershire Police who gathered the data, told the court there "didn't appear to be any replies" from Mrs McCann.

Ms Wandelt also contacted close associates of the McCanns, as per the call data.

On that date, Gerry McCann responded to a phone call from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, saying she had "incorrect contact information."

During that incident Ms Wandelt left a voicemail on Mrs McCann's answerphone stating "I will persist and I will prove my claim."

The court learned the co-defendant developed a connection online with Ms Wandelt preceding joining her on a appearance to the McCanns' residence in the county in December 2024.

Communication data revealed Mrs Spragg had communicated using communication app to Mrs McCann to express the news outlets had characterized Ms Wandelt as "a crazy person" but that she deserved to be considered genuine in the months before the visit to that location, that area, in December 2024.

The court heard communications between the two accused, in that autumn, considering endeavoring to acquire Mrs McCann's biological evidence from her trash or from silverware at a restaurant.

"We must assert ourselves," the co-defendant told Ms Wandelt.

On the evening of the appearance to their house, Mrs Spragg transmitted a text which said: "We're currently positioned outside the McCanns' home with our lights out similar to detectives. I wanted to do this with Peter Andrew I never thought I would be doing that with the McCanns."

The trial continues.